How do you get a sub?

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I'm just curious what everyone else does if they are sick and cannot come into work. We have an online system we can call into, but if a sub doesn't pick up then I have no one to cover for me. I end up texting /emailing each sub on our list asking for help. We have very limited subs, and 9/10 they are unavailable. I have had to plan "in advance" to be sick before just to line someone up.

Anyway, just curious how you all handle it. I hate to have to worry about who is taking care of the health office when I'm sick, but coming in ill is not fun either!!

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I work in a private, no subs here. I have learned that it is way above my paygrade to worry about my office if I am not here. This is an issue for your supervisor or your district, not you. Employers in general love that employees have this attitude, but in the long run it causes more illness. Nurses and teachers seem to be the worst offenders of this ownership, we need to take care of ourselves so we can be available for others.

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Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

This is one of the worst parts of my job! I am responsible for finding a replacement for me, and it sucks! I don't know why, I'm the only one in the school who can't call in to the secretary, but its always been that way, and you know how that goes! I have 3 nurses who will sub for me, 2 have full time jobs (3-12's). If I have notice (planned dr. appt or outing), its not too hard to get one to work. But if I'm ill or something comes up quickly, its hit or miss. I've worked sick many days because its just too much of a hassle to figure something out, or try calling people at 6am. That being said, my admins are great and I know if I had a true emergency, they would help with whatever I needed.

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I agree it is so stressful worrying about it. I have some pretty severe cases here and not just "anyone" can step in and cover me.

I'm trying to put together a plan for our negotiations this Summer for our contract, and working on figuring out how to resolve this. If a teacher is sick, they just call in and have someone (anyone) cover for them. It doesn't work that way for me and I don't think it's fair or safe.

Ugg! I almost feel like an outside agency should be hired with on-call nurses able to step in if needed. That would be a dream though. LOL

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First step is identifying any parents who are nurses--they are usually more willing because they want a nurse at their kids' schools too, then talk with local nurses to see if they have any subs. We also have a contract with a nursing agency who will sometimes be able to fill in. Like @MrNurse(x2) said, it's above the pay grade. I have multiple staff members trained on how to dispense medication, and I keep a plastic folder of exclusion policies/frequent flyers/daily meds/etc in my office. Sometimes the office sits empty for a day. Life goes on.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Women's Health,School Nursing.

I used to stress about it, we didn't even have a sub lined up when I started but then I informed them I was pregnant and they had to find someone to cover for me so they 'hired' a sub. But she is our ONLY sub and if she cant do it they're out of luck...I used to feel bad but now I've hit the point where I am annoyed that we dont have some sort of float nurse hired full time (I know extra money but we are using money on ridiculous things we dont need) So *shrugs* I'm entitled to my sick days (which are far and few between but when my child is sick I'm calling out).

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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

We have a pool of 5 or 6 that we usually contact ourselves if we're able. We can have our principal call the district sub coordinator to do it if we're not able or up to it. If I'm feeling crummy in the evening, I usually touch base with a couple of them to see if they would be available if I decide I can't come in and let them know I'll confirm by 6am the next day. If I can't get someone I let the office staff know they can text me or they can call other district nurses, and then I hope all day that "my kids" are OK.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

We don't have subs. I'm the only RN in the district. We do have two LPNs. If any of us are sick, we're sick... no cover. I still answer my phone when I am off sick... I wonder what would happen if I had to go on extended leave.

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Specializes in school nursing.
36 minutes ago, Csn2016 said:

I used to stress about it, we didn't even have a sub lined up when I started but then I informed them I was pregnant and they had to find someone to cover for me so they 'hired' a sub. But she is our ONLY sub and if she cant do it they're out of luck...I used to feel bad but now I've hit the point where I am annoyed that we dont have some sort of float nurse hired full time (I know extra money but we are using money on ridiculous things we dont need) So *shrugs* I'm entitled to my sick days (which are far and few between but when my child is sick I'm calling out).

Agreed. We do not have a sub though for our clinic. It is covered usually by the librarian, and I'm sure in his absence as well it would be covered by our office ladies. I wish I had a nurse sub that at least had some medical training. I train the office ladies, some sped people, and the librarian in epi-pen, seizure, diabetes, and med admin.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Women's Health,School Nursing.
21 minutes ago, CanIcallmymom said:

Agreed. We do not have a sub though for our clinic. It is covered usually by the librarian, and I'm sure in his absence as well it would be covered by our office ladies. I wish I had a nurse sub that at least had some medical training. I train the office ladies, some sped people, and the librarian in epi-pen, seizure, diabetes, and med admin.

I've gotten to the point that it angers me and as unfair as it is to the kids maybe if I leave Administration scrambling a few times they will wake up and realize the health care component in the school setting is more important than using funding to put in a 'gaming room' with playstations and xbox's (yes you read that right)

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1 hour ago, Eleven011 said:

This is one of the worst parts of my job! I am responsible for finding a replacement for me, and it sucks! I don't know why, I'm the only one in the school who can't call in to the secretary, but its always been that way, and you know how that goes! I have 3 nurses who will sub for me, 2 have full time jobs (3-12's). If I have notice (planned dr. appt or outing), its not too hard to get one to work. But if I'm ill or something comes up quickly, its hit or miss. I've worked sick many days because its just too much of a hassle to figure something out, or try calling people at 6am. That being said, my admins are great and I know if I had a true emergency, they would help with whatever I needed.

same for me! if I an sick or have a scheduled absence, they ask me to "reach out" to the sub nurses. Every other staff member just tells the secretary they will be out and she makes the calls. if I can't get a sub, I have come in in the past, but usually I have the attitude that it's not my paygrade to find a sub for myself and I "reached out," which was the best I could do.

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34 minutes ago, Csn2016 said:

I've gotten to the point that it angers me and as unfair as it is to the kids maybe if I leave Administration scrambling a few times they will wake up and realize the health care component in the school setting is more important than using funding to put in a 'gaming room' with playstations and xbox's (yes you read that right)

?

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